Saina sails into quarters of Indonesia Open Super Series

Jakarta: Ace shuttler Saina Nehwal cruised into the women`s singles quarterfinals of the USD 750,000 Indonesia Open Super Series even as India`s challenge ended in the women`s doubles event with the ouster of Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa, here on Thursday.

Saina, seeded eighth, had a relatively easy outing against Kirsty Gilmour as the Indian took just 36 minutes to sent her rival packing 21-17 21-9 to take a 3-0 career lead over the world no. 17 Scottish shuttler at the Istora Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.

But a Herculean task awaits Saina, the three-time winner here, in the next round as she takes on world no.1 Li Xuerui of China tomorrow.

Saina has a 2-6 win-loss record against the top seeded reigning Olympic champion.

However, it was curtains for India in the women`s doubles event as the fancied pair of Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponappa lost to South Korea`s Ye Na Jang and So Young Kim in the second round.

The combination of Jwala and Ashwini fought hard before losing 21-16 15-21 21-12 in 45 minutes against their fifth seeded South Korean opponents.